Notes of Noel - Let There be Peace

 

Season of Advent - Peace Each week of the season of Advent which leads up to Christmas carries a deep meaning, the final one before Christmas Day is peace. Peace on earth is a line that we so often hear at Christmas, we desire it all of the time but never see it fully realised. (here and now) In the not yet however, in the wonderful reign of Jesus true peace will come, the desire of nations to live together will happen. It's not only about peace on earth, it's also about us as people being at peace within ourselves and peace with others. Jesus came as the great bringer of peace, may we seek to bring peace to situations around us. This is really the key theme of our song this week, as comments on the video say 'this isn't just a Christmas song but one for everyday of the year'.  The fourth song in the Notes of Noel is called (Glory) Let There Be Peace and it's written and performed by Matt Maher, who is a talented songwriter (9 time Grammy nominated) who also produces wonderful visuals alongside his music.  let's read the lyrics.  One star burns in the darkness Shines with the promise, Emmanuel One child born in the stillness Living within us, Emmanuel We're singing glory, glory Let there be peace, let there be peace We're singing glory, glory Let there be peace, let it start in me One voice speaks for the voiceless Hope for the hopeless, Emmanuel One love brings us together Now and forever, Emmanuel We're singing glory, glory Let there be peace, let there be peace We're singing glory, glory Let there be peace, let it start in me Do not be afraid, His love is strong Enough to save us Nothing stands in the way His love is strong enough to lead us Do not be afraid, His love is strong Enough to save us Nothing stands in the way His love is strong enough to lead us (oh, lead us) We're singing glory, (oh, we sing glory) glory Let there be peace (let there be peace), let it start in me Have a listen and watch (Glory) Let there be Peace Let's look at the lyrics:

One star burns in the darkness Shines with the promise, Emmanuel One child born in the stillness Living within us, Emmanuel The star is a symbol that we often think of when our minds turn to Christmas, just last evening our Rose was a star in a little nativity play. The star was prophesied to be part of the scene hundreds of years before the birth of Christ. In Numbers 24:17a it says a 'I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel' One star that arises, shines and lights the way to the promise of the Messiah. This leads on to another prophecy recorded in Isaiah that says he would be called Emmanuel, God with us.  You and I have a name and maybe you have a nickname too but probably not more than one. We have to go by something which is why often the first question asked about a new born is what's the name? The Son of God has so many names mentioned in the Bible. Jesus is the one that springs to mind first as the Angel Gabriel instructed Joseph to name him such, meaning Saviour. The Old Testament uses this beautiful name of Emmanuel, meaning God with us which is exactly who Jesus was, the image of the invisible God as it says in the book of Colossians.  One voice speaks for the voiceless Hope for the hopeless, Emmanuel One love brings us together Now and forever, Emmanuel I really love the words to this verse. He is a voice to those who are voiceless and hope to those who are hopeless. The suffix less means without, someone has less of something than desired or is needed. There are so many who have no voice, they can't be heard among the noise of all that is around them. I love being a champion for Home for Good (Christian charity that aims to provide a home for good for all children in care) because it's a way to raise the profile of children in care who almost always have no voice in their situation. This is a reason why adoption and fostering is so powerful, it gives children both a voice and hope where they had less.  We're singing glory, glory Let there be peace, let there be peace We're singing glory, glory Let there be peace, let it start in me   We join with the angels in singing glory. Glory to God in the highest is what the Bible records as lyrics to the song the angels sang that special night. Have you ever thought what that song would have sounded like? A whole chorus of angels in the sky above the pasture where the shepherds were, we mustn't lose the reality and power of that moment. I expect it's something that you had to be there to get it, we can't know what a majestic sound that would have been. The angelic chorus raising their voice to declare glory to God as the Son of God was being ushered into this earth. Talk about a Christmas carol!  When we think of peace it's usually of wars ceasing and persecution coming to an end. Right now with the invasion of Ukraine, the civil wars in Yemen, Syria, Myanmar, Ethiopia and many other African countries there is so much dis-peace around our globe. This song challenges us though in a different way. It's saying let the peace start in me, let you and me be in peace and live out peace to all those around us. If everyone were to be at peace with themselves and with the Lord, then living out peace with those around us wouldn't be so difficult. Seeing peace on earth come wouldn't be a pipe-dream but rather a reality. We know that when the second advent of Christ comes a true peace will be experienced, but until that time we can desire for peace to start within us.    Do not be afraid, His love is strong Enough to save us Nothing stands in the way His love is strong enough to lead us Do not be afraid, His love is strong Enough to save us The phrase that the Angel Gabriel began his conversations with Zechariah, Mary and Joseph was 'Do not be afraid'. This indicates that they would have likely been afraid, the angel must have been an imposing figure. We need not be afraid of the Lord or his messengers and the Holy Spirit. Why? Our song today gives a few answers.  His love is strong, we see this with the advent of the child, the ultimate gift to earth and sacrifice for men of earth. Nothing stands in the way of the Lord's will happening, even when there is trouble all around and a seeming lack of peace, the Lord is there. Blessing people, bringing healing, crafting the miraculous and providing a way in the darkness for those who are lost. Nothing stands in His way! Nothing stands in the way His love is strong enough to lead us (oh, lead us) Recently in our church, LifeSpring Community Church we have been praying for healing and it's been an awesome thing to be able to report back that a young man who had to go through two brain surgeries is home recovering. Another man was given a 99.9% that a growth was cancer, he came into the 0.01% category as the growth was not cancerous and he is beginning to heal, another person had been given a terrible diagnosis and he has since gone through chemo, had a tumour removed and is recovering. Nothing stands in the way, so we should not be afraid because his love is strong and enough to save.  As mentioned above in our song, let their be peace and may it start in me. This Christmas I pray that you will experience peace from Jesus like never before, an understanding of the love of God for you which brings a level of peace to your mind, heart and body. Maybe this peace will be felt in having better health, a renewed mind or simply being able to handle all that life throws your way this Christmas season.  To enjoy the whole album, it's diverse musically with so many well known carols and Christmas songs done in original style with lovely piano vibes. Simply click this link and you'll find each song from The Advent of Christmas. Matt Maher, The Advent of Christmas